Author: Francine RiversSeries: Mark Of The Lion #1Published: 2. 18. 98 by Tyndale House PublishersPages: 520Rating: 5/5 StarsSummary: Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, a young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.

Note: This is a work of Christian Fiction.

My Thoughts: Incredible. I loved this book. It was moving, and a very well done work of historical fiction.

First off I want to mention how awesome the historical setting was. Francine has painted one of the most realistic setting I've ever read. It just makes me wonder and appreciate all the research that went into this book! This was no light matter at all. With the time period this book covers, the setting is decadent Rome and that wasn't always very pretty. The image I picked up was a very rowdy immoral society. They were wild and not very refined. It for sure wasn't the golden age. I think Francine defines this with incredible accuracy and skill. She doesn't just glance over it all and mention it. We get the juicy details. We see the different perspectives of the characters in all aspects of this society. We are very aware of it and the things that the characters choose.

However, for those who are worried about content, because this book was not light in content. Many violent or sexual things happen. But I will say that I didn't find it bugged me as much, because I found it to be part of the story and the society that was being shown. True, it was a bit much in some parts but for the most part it didn't hit me as it normally would.

The character development was fabulous. I loved getting the POVs from all the different aspects of the culture. Those completely immersed in the hard, wild aspects of the world at the time, characters like Decimus who was a worried parent beginning to feel out of his element as the Rome he knew is changing, and those like Hadassah, with the more Christian view. I loved how each fit into their own category and were so different. It was all so believable. I loved it!

The storyline itself was very intriguing and wove into one bright quilt that will keep you on your seats, and eagerly anticipating the next installment. It was full of new plot twists and felt very well thought out and planned. The ending was so unexpected and I was on the edge that I can't wait to get my hands on the next book! Loved it!

Favorite Quote: "Unless you have something worth dying for, Atretes, you have nothing worth living for."

Content: HeavyLanguage -((characters swear on their Roman gods)) Sexual - ((Reference to Homosexual people in the society. Two homosexual males seen kissing. A girl kisses a girl. A girl moves in with a male homosexual so that she can have the freedom she wants to be with her lover. A girl has an abortion. A girl has "love" a few times to a man she isn't married to. Once, during marriage a girl gives herself to a man for an hour to help settle problems. People known to have had affairs with a few members of the opposite sex. Some innuendo or references to people speaking that way. Girl gets pregnant from her lover when she isn't married. Gladiators show off their bodies to the crowd before the games. Nude statues and art seen in town, villas and in bedrooms. Man wants a girl but she is not willing to be his "lover" and being the master, almost forces her to.))Violence/Other - ((Gladiator games are very gory and some references to the bloody fighting. Description of blood and the crowd loving the games. Woman poisons her husband to death because she is sick of him. Abusive husband. Women are slapped a few times. People drink wine and get drunk. Some characters lead others to do wrong things under their influence))

A fabulous read that I really enjoyed. This book is made of Awesome-Sauce and is highly recommended for lovers of Historical Fiction.

This review is 100% from Inky's brain, and use of this review without consent is prohibited.

I'm sure most of you are aware of the drama that has been ensuing from The Story Siren. Many bloggers have chosen to disengage from some of the memes and blogging from the Story Siren, others haven't. I don't want to get to in depth on the matter, I just thought I should make it known where I stand on the matter.

What happened is not okay. I don't agree with it. But I'm not condemning Story Siren either. I know that what she did was wrong but she's apologized and I'm not going to give her grief about it. However I know that this is where people differ on opinions. I have read some and I know that in truth it's hard to unknowingly copy the thoughts of other people. This is one of the many arguments or opinions that have been expressed but I'm not going to go into all of this, but I just wanted to say that I don't like what happened, but I'm going to forgive her and let it blow over. She's learned and I don't think giving her grief about it is going to help.

Because of all the drama I've decided to leave the official meme In My Mailbox. I don't hold any hard feelings against Kristi and her blog, despite this little incident, but I feel like it will be easier to simply have my own "Book Haul".

That's all I have to say on the matter. If you feel differently I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Happy blogging!

About Andrea:Andrea Cefalo is a bit of a roamer, growing up in New Hampshire, Maryland, and South Carolina, though the bulk of her family lives in Maine. She dreamed of a career in art restoration, but somehow ended up becoming a grade school teacher before realizing she really wanted to be a writer. She taught for three years and then decided to finish The Fairytale Keeper series and pursue her new found ambition. Andrea lives with her husband and two border collies in Greenville, South Carolina, which she calls home, at least for now.

What inspired the idea for this story? Was is totally random or based on something?

I got the idea six years ago while I was getting my undergraduate degree in education. I was listening to a lecture about the commonalities of fairy tales. The professor said that nearly all cultures have a Cinderella story which made me wonder if one person, living thousands of years ago, could have been the real Cinderella. Could it be possible that this one girl spawned all the different versions of the story? Well, that’s probably not likely, but it did get me brainstorming. I am especially fond of Grimm’s fairy tales so I twisted my unlikely hypothesis into the presumption that one girl could have been the origin of Grimm’s most famous fairy tales.

When did you know you wanted to write?

When I was a junior in high school, I planned to become a poet. I had this huge anthology of horrible poems that I’d written. I’m so glad that I didn’t get them published. They were terribly depressing.

Most excited books by other authors to read this year

Now that I’ve finished my last round of revisions, I am so excited to delve into the pile of half-read books that I already have: The Queen’s Fool by Phillipa Gregory, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet, Dearskin by Robin McKinley, The Amarenth Enchantment by Julie Berry, and Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

Was there an author that inspired you to write a fabulous book? Someone you look up to?

There are so many to list, but it wasn’t until I read Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series that I actually sat down and wrote my first chapter. She writes characters incredibly well. When the Twilight series ended, I felt like my friends had moved away. I’m still holding out hope that she’ll write a sequel to The Host or finish The Midnight Sun.

What are your favorite scenes to write?

Writing Adelaide’s dreams is oddly liberating. I’m writing historical fiction so there are boundaries to what my characters can say and do. Dreams are so unrestricted. They allow me to expose Adelaide’s true thoughts and fears more creatively.

What do you have in common with your MC?

We are both determined. When I decide I am going to do something and it becomes a priority, I’ll get it done or just about die trying. I think Adelaide has that quality, but she lives in a time and place where that kind of mindset can kill a person. We’re also both quite clumsy. That can kill a person, too I suppose.

Favorite quote from a book?

No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.

-Jon Donne Meditation XVII

Favorite quote from your book?

“Vengeance has cost us, I know it. I feel the pain of it in my aching joints with every step I take. I feel it in my stomach as I watch Father grow closer to her, but I tire of being the pawn in someone else’s game of chess. I am the player now. I shall always be the player, I promise myself.”-Adelaide

Any advice to Aspiring Authors?

Keep doing what you love. Read books you love and write what you’re inspired to write. Don’t let the idea of making lots of money ruin your love of the craft. That being said, if you intend to be published, find out everything you can about the industry as you’re writing. It’s very complex and there are definitely some things I know now that I wish I knew then.

Any upcoming projects we should look for?

There are three more books to come in The Fairytale Keeper series. The sequel will be out next summer. I’ve already written it and now I’m racking my brain trying to come up with a title.

Book Excerpt:12 March, 1247 Afternoon

His hand strokes my wound and we flinch simultaneously. Holding his hand up in front of his face, he sees his bloodstained fingers. He grabs my hand, spinning me around to face him and pushes the sleeve of my cloak up to my shoulder roughly to reveal the gash.

“What is this? What happened?”` he yells. I rip my hand from his and shove the sleeve back down.

“It looks worse than it is. I fell on my way through the fields.”

“It needs to be bandaged.”

“After we go to the Gilded Gopher. We can stop at my house and I shall bandage it there.”

He reaches for my arm again and I pull away. He huffs and shakes his head in annoyance at my stubbornness. We walk the rest of the way in silence. The road is quiet. I had assumed the Gilded Gopher would be closer to Hay Market or on Harlot’s Alley, but we near Pantaleon’s parish. The walk gives me pause to think of what I shall say to Father when I finally find him.

I should like to scream at him for letting me worry. Then, I think, what if Father is not there? And I feel guilty for wanting to yell at him. I say a quick prayer and tell the Lord I shall be forever grateful if He returns Father to me.

My legs start to quiver beneath me and I grab Ivo’s shoulder to keep from falling.

“I stumbled,” I lie. I am weary from hunger, I convince myself, and we keep walking.

My head swims and I stumble toward the city wall in case I need to grasp it for support. A small red stream winds its way down my middle finger, trickling slowly to the ground. My wound has reopened. Heat drains from my face as everything spirals. My legs shake violently and I reach for the wall, sliding down it to the ground.

I hear my name and I see a face. Ivo. My cheek stings as he slaps me.

“Addie! Wake up, Addie! Oh, thank God,” he shouts and then huffs. “You are worse than the oxen. You know that?” he scolds.

“What are you doing? Stop hitting me,” I mumble in a trance. My eyelids bounce heavily and I desperately fight the urge to sleep. Ivo rips the strings that tie my cloak and throws it aside. He stands and rips off his cyclas, standing before me in only his tunic which is slightly translucent with the sun behind him and riddled with holes. I notice a large golden bruise through a hole in his sleeve and another on his stomach which I can see through the tunic. He kneels and pulls a knife from his boot. He cuts away at the bottom of his tunic.

“I must tie this around your wound, Addie. It has to be tight to stop the bleeding.” He shoves my blood-soaked sleeve past my shoulder and ties the fabric painfully tight around my gash. I cry out as the knot pinches my skin. He sighs and checks the wound which still bleeds. “Not tight enough.”

He races to untie it and rebinds it again. I feel him yank it tightly with all his strength. The world goes black.

Giveaway:~Andrea has sent me copy of her book to giveaway so one luck winner will receive this!~Only US residents may enter! I'm not going to be shipping internationally for some time. Sorry! ~ Good luck!

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Author: Jessica SpotswoodPublisher: Putnam JuvenilePublished: 2. 7. 12.Pages: 330Rating: 3.5 StarsSummary: Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

My Thoughts: There are no words to describe what I'm feeling right now after finishing this book. Well, there are but some are a bit trashy. Let me try to break this down a little more, so it's not so blunt.

Right After Finishing:
WHAT A HORRIBLE WAY TO END THE BOOK!!
WOW THAT STORY WAS INTRIGUING!
HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!
FINN!! *swoony face*
GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!
AAAAAAGH.

Where to begin? I was really drawn to the subject of this story. Witch sisters in a historical setting. I Loved Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle and so I was really excited for this one. I was happy with what I read and it hooked me but I was also disappointed in some ways. I'm not even sure how to say everything I want to say here. So I'll break this down into two parts. Spoiler Free, and Spoiler Full.

Spoiler Free Review(if you haven't read the book):
Ever since the beautiful cover and premise caught my eye I have wanted to read this. And I honestly wasn't to disappointed. I enjoyed Cate's story. A lot was going wrong for her and for the most part she felt with it pretty well. But I'm going to point out that hs'es really indecisive. She seemed to keep coming to the realization that shed needed to so something, but she never did and it got worse. This happens a few times. That was one of the character flaws I found.

I felt like the Historical Setting for this book was good and nice but I also felt like it took me a while to gauge where they were. I did figure it out, but maybe I was just slow. Jessica's writing was also good. I felt like it was smooth and well done but beside that point there were times that I felt were rushed and so I was confuzzled a bit.

I would have liked more magic and more Tess but was happy with that I got. Though, speaking of the magic it wasn't as big as I thought it would be. Most of the book was dealing around not doing magic and the romance aspect. Speaking of Romance...

Finn was fantastic. Cate did not deserve him. And she totally didn't realize what she had. That's why he's mine. I liked him even better than Cate herself. He had the most depth of everyone! He wasn't one of those cases where it's Love At First Hot Guy. Or whatever. I really wanted to get to know him better. So yes I approve of Finn. Yay Jessica! Good boy there. I'm not sure what else I can say with out spoiling a lot. The story was interesting I enjoyed it. THE COVER IS GORGEOUS. I dare you to say otherwise.

I liked the tension. But the buildup didn't seem to be as big as could be. I didn't feel the tension of the problem was a serious. I want to know what happens to the sisters, but honestly I'm so shocked by the ending I have to find out more. I'll give you one hint: It's dealing with Finn. So yes. Finn is the driving power for me.

Honestly though, it was good and I'd probably still recommend it. Despite all the itty-bitty plot points I pick out. It's just my writing side driving me nuts.

So if you've read the book, read on for my spoiler review.

Spoiler Full Review(if you have read the book):

So it starts out with our MC Cate wishing her mom was here. Because she and her sisters have a secret. They're witches. No one else knows this and it's getting harder to hide. Throughout this book it's a struggle to hide. New feelings and developments happen and things slip. But Cate is always worrying and trying to contain her sisters. And she's told over and over again how I could do this and given options but Cate has a little bit of the "I-Can-Do-It-All-Myself." And sometimes that gets aggravating. She's described as an independent character but seriously? Sometimes she didn't even TAKE action. There were some moments but that's not the word I would normally choose to describe a character like her.

K, let's take the Prophecy and all things witch related. I felt like a lot of it was in the shadows and didn't get answered by the end of the book. and the magic wasn't even as developed. The book is about witches so give us the Witches baby! Yes, it's true that in the setting, witches are a bad thing, but we need more to happen. When the prophecy is finally discovered this is a worry that Cate and her sisters Maura and Tess might be the ones. Then Cate never does anything but worry. She needs to FIGURE IT OUT! Everyone keeps saying they probably are and things keep changing and stuff but it's never definite and not definite sets are taken to protect her sisters. I don't feel like anything happened on that level. COME ON. Give us more.

Maura and Tess were actually really good side characters. Tess is my favorite. After Finn. I want to find out more about her since there were definetly some things left unanswered the most with her. Maura was all emotion. I understood where it all came from. Cate did have that over-protective-aspect-so-I-don't-notice-my-sisters-and-what's-right-in-front-of-me. That was something she had to over come but I felt that a lot of it was sudden. One thing that bugged me in relationship to her sisters was that she doesn't want her sisters to do magic and keep it col, because of the prophecy. She tells them not to and stuff but they don't listen. Partly because she never tells them WHY. Gosh. They should know! They might actually obey or listen to you. It didn't help your relationships at all by not.

Because of this over-protectiveness that Cate has with her sisters it was apart of most of her decisions. Make some yourself Cate. Think about what you want. I want to get to know you better than just some over-protective sister. So when she totally goes against her intended decisions and bases it off part of a end-of-thebok threat it drove me NUTS.

I think I'm done screaming about what I didn't like. It sounds like a lot, but I will honestly say that I did really enjoy read this. I did keep me hooked late at night wanting to see how it ended. I really ready for book two now to see what all HAPPENS with this plot and how things work out for FINN. Poor guy.

Content: Mild-Moderate
(There is a smattering of Deity references throughout and a few instances of "D-word". In the beginning there are references to witches in the past being homosexual. This is not an issue until the very end when we find out that Maura who didn't have anyone, developed this "love" for the governess and ends up kissing her. I didn't need that. It might be just me but it's seriously annoys me when these things are sprung on you at the end of a book. Also, Cate wondered slightly what Finn looked like Naked and what it would be liked married and sharing Finns, and in another instance, Pauls bed. Some kissing with a little heat. Mentions hands on arms, chest, back, hip and hair)

What are your thoughts on this book?

I'd love to hear them!

This review is 100% from Inky's brain, and use of this review without consent is prohibited.

The subject of today's giveaway spotlights is undoubtedly the Fairy-Tale Giveaway Hop! With tons of blogs participating in this (including me!) this is a fabulous opportunity to try and snag some of your favorite faith-tale reads! Check these ones out:

Yeah that's right! I'm doing a giveaway! *applause and cheering* What's so great about this giveaway? IT'S ALL ABOUT FAIRY-TALES. I'm a nut for fairytales! So, I'm going to offer some of my FAVORITE retellings. (Cue: This is where you start to hyperventilate about amazing prizes you could win) .

Now first, I should tell you all about my favorite fairy tale! It's a little uncommon mind you...

Ever since I read this fairy-tale in a collection we have I've been really intrigued by it. It's a wonderful story about a girl saving her brothers and it's always strung some chord in me. I love all the common ones, but I also love really different and not as known, but I still love it! It's beautiful so I really recommend you trying to read the original tale or some retelling. Below you can find some links to retellings of the story.

She can whisper to horses and communicate with birds, but the crown princess Ani has a difficult time finding her place in the royal family and measuring up to her imperial mother. When she is shipped off to a neighboring kingdom as a bride, her scheming entourage mounts a bloody mutiny to replace her with a jealous lady-in-waiting, Selia, and to allow an inner circle of guards more power in the new land. Barely escaping with her life, Ani disguises herself as a goose girl and wanders on the royal estate. Does she have the pluck to reclaim her rightful place?

OR..

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Azalea and her younger sisters dance in the mysterious silver forest every night, escaping from the sadness of the palace and their father’s grief. What they don’t understand—although as time passes they begin to get an inkling of the danger they are in—is that the mysterious and dashing Keeper is tightening his snare with deadly purpose. Luckily, Azalea is brave and steadfast. Luckily, a handsome young army captain also has his eye on Azalea. .

Winner can choose which of the two he/she would like. Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Good luck!

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Hi! So yesterday was hectic that I totally didn't get time to post this! So here is my WOW. Apologies for delay!
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Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine created to spotlight book we are eagerly anticipating...or in my case, hyperventilating about!

Secret Letters by Leah Scheier

Will Be Released: June 26th by Hyperion

Summary: Inquisitive and observant, Dora dreams of escaping her aristocratic country life to solve mysteries alongside Sherlock Holmes. So when she learns that the legendary detective might be her biological father, Dora jumps on the opportunity to travel to London and enlist his help in solving the mystery of her cousin's ransomed love letters. But Dora arrives in London to devastating news: Sherlock Holmes is dead. Her dreams dashed, Dora is left to rely on her wits--and the assistance of an attractive yet enigmatic young detective--to save her cousin's reputation and help rescue a kidnapped heiress along the way.

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This looks so fabulous! YAYA! Mystery is so cool and when it's Sherlock style it's EVEN BETTER! I look so Amazing and I can't wait to read it! AND LOOK AT THE COVER. Gorgeous. So epic. This looks totally great, and I can't wait to read it!

Continuing with all the fabulous bloggers I've had on the site, Benji from The Non-Reluctant Reader joins me today for another great interview! Benji, like me is a Young Adult reviewing books and sharing our passion for them. Other interests include Soccer, School and Sailing. Go S!

Welcome to the blog Benji!

M&M's Or Skittles?

Skittles. All the way.

Besides a love of books what made you want to share your reviews w/others?

I really wanted to meet some other book lovers through my blog, and blogging has done just that!

Most excited books to read this year?

Hmm... I've already read Insurgent which
was my most anticipated of 2012, so after that I'll have to go with The
Evolution of Mara Dyer! Loved the first one!

Favorite Books and Authors?

The
Hunger Games Trilogy (major duh), Divergent Trilogy, The Unbecoming of
Mara Dyer, The Mortal Instruments, A Touch Trilogy, and a whole lot
more!

Do you have a Theme Song?

Either Rocket Man by Elton John or My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.

What's your Favorite Color?

Blue!

What's your Favorite Book Genre to read?

Either YA Dystopian or YA Paranormal.

If you were fictional, what character from a book would you be/ most like?

Hmm... I think I'd be like President Snow from The Hunger Games, lol! I'm cunning and cruel, MWHAHAHAHA

If you could have any author to dinner what would it be?

Veronica Roth (The Divergent Trilogy), her and I would come up with a plan to make The Divergent Trilogy never end!

Could you say that reviewing from a bloggers perspective has changed how you think about books?

Major yes. Before I started blogging, I
used to rip on authors/books I didn't like a ton, but after interacting
with them online, I know all the work they put into their books and that
they are all really nice, so I've have calmed down on my author
ripping!

If you could change one thing about your blog what would it be?

Perhaps I would like to expand on word choice. I find myself using the same words a lot, and I don't want to bore my readers.

Thanks for having me!

**

Well, that's a little taste into Benji! Thanks for joining me! Make sure you all check out his blog HERE!

I have got another fun interview with a fellow book blogger today! Some of you may know her as Lea, and some maybe as LC from Libraryland! She also loves "designing" her nails, shopping, TV, and taking care of her web design business.

Welcome to the blog LC!

M&M's Or Skittles?

I
am OBSESSED with Skittles. I've tried all the different kinds--
Tropical, Berry, the Blenders-- but nothing beats original Skittles.
Yup, I'm a Skittles addict :)

Besides a love of books what made you want to share your reviews w/others?

I work as a librarian, and my first
blog was actually about the different aspects of being a librarian, but
then I thought that doing book reviews would be much more fun.
Eventually, I just dropped the librarian blog and now spend all my time
on LC's Adventures in Libraryland. So originally, I started my
book blog because I was a librarian and wanted to be more involved in
"bookish" things but now I blog because it is incredibly fun and the
book blogger community ROCKS!

Most excited books to read this year?

I am really excited to read Venom
by Fiona Paul-- it takes place in Renaissance Venice, and I just LOVE
the gorgeous cover! Plus, it's a book that not everyone knows about. I
tend to read books that are less well-known so that I can let my readers
know about them after!

Favorite Books and Authors?

Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan series, Anna Godbersen's Luxe series, Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi, Fateful by Claudia Gray, Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs, and The Sharp Time by Mary O'Connell. To name a few ;)

I've been a big reader ever since I was a little girl-- I used to love reading the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and anything about history.

What's your Favorite Book Genre to read?

Well
within YA, I'm really loving contemporary right now, I think it's a
summertime thing. But actually I also LOVE reading historical
non-fiction and biographies, especially ones about the Tudors like Henry
VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Queen Elizabeth I. I don't blog about these
books, but I have a pretty big collection of English history!

If you could have any author to dinner what would it be?

I recently had the chance to listen in on a live chat with Beth Revis, author of Across the Universe. She is so flipping funny, and I think it would be a blast to hang out with her!

Favorite fictional crush?

I fell pretty hard for Ash in The Iron King,
but I haven't read the other books in the series yet (I know I have to
get on that...) so I'm not sure if I'll still like him once I read
more-- I hope I do!!

All
the awesome people I've met and getting to talk books with them. I love
the book blogger community, they're all so great. And getting advance
copies of new books is always a perk too ;) If you could change one thing about your blog what would it be?

Nothing! I love my blog-- I designed it myself, and it's all me :)

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Thanks for stopping by LC! It was fun! Make sure you visit LC over in Libraryland sometime!

Author: Aprilynne PikeSeries: Wings QuartetPublisher: Harper TeenReleased: 5. 1. 09Pages: 294Rating: 4/5 StarsSummary:Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful--too beautiful for words. Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

My Thoughts: I read this a couple summers ago I remember really enjoying this fresh take on faeries. I honestly can't remember all my thoughts about it but it was engaging and enjoyable, a quick light read. Not to dark at all. The plot was interesting and leaves you ready for book two, Spells.

Laurel, the main character was well plotted and portrayed. I remember being able to understand her confusion and feelings throughout the book, something that find find really increases how much I like the book. The main love interest, David is one that I loved. He was a great guy and one that you want to route for. However, I found that he was suffering from Second Book Syndrome a little in book two and there. More on that in later review.

If you are looking for a light summer read or just a fun book to curl up with, this is for sure one that you should consider.

Content: Mild((a few light instances of language. One time of the S-word. a reference to Faery sex. some kissing. ))

This review is 100% from Inky's brain, and use of this review without consent is prohibited.

After Hello by Lisa MangumPublisher: Shadow MountainRelease Date: 9. 4. 12Pages: 272Summary:What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had?Seventeen-year-old Sara is a seeker. She’s always on the lookout for the perfect moment to capture with her ever-present, point-and-shoot camera, especially on her first trip to New York City.Sam is a finder. He has a knack for finding what other people can’t—a first-edition book or the last two tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. In New York, there is always something interesting to find.When Sam and Sara’s paths cross, neither one of them is prepared for what they will find out about each other—and about themselves when they form an unlikely partnership in search of a seemingly elusive work of art. They have one day to find the impossible. Fate brought their talents together, but what happens when time runs out? Will love be able to overcome fate?

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This book looks SO beautiful. I have read 2/3rd's of Lisa's Hourglass Door Trilogy, and loved what I read. So I'm really excited for this new book to come out from Lisa! First, LOOK AT THAT COVER. So pretty. I love how it was designed to that it blends a whole bunch of pictures and colors. So pretty! Okay next, READ THAT SYNOPSIS. Doesn't that just sound like a fabulous book?! I really like a lot of different contemporary, but I haven't ever read one that's like this so maybe I should. This one just looks like a really touching story. I just can't wait to read Sam and Sara's story!

Erasing Time by C. J. Hill

Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books

Release Date: 8. 28. 12

Pages: 368

Summary: When twins Sheridan and Taylor wake up 400 years in the future, they find a changed world: domed cities, no animals, and a language that’s so different, it barely sounds like English. And the worst news: They can’t go back home.

The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The moblike Dakine fights against the government, and somehow Taylor and Sheridan find themselves in the middle. The only way to elude them all is to trust Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.

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First off, I LOVE C. J. HILL! She wrote Slayers, and if you saw my review for that book you would see that I Loved it! So I'm SUPER Psyched for this book! YAY! And look at THE PREMISE. Can I have a round of "EEEP!"? Okay now look at THAT COVER! Now that I'm done screaming.... This new futuristic dystopian is TOTALLY APPEALING to me right now. Are you getting the same vibes? Knowing, CJ she'll have a great, action packed, engaging, romantic story in the pages of this book. *Sigh* I. Can't. Wait.

I am so thrilled to be able to be hosting Kristi on the blog today! She is one of my favorite book bloggers and is referred to as "THE" book blogger. She hosts the popular meme "In My Mailbox" as well as one of the biggest yearly challenges, "The Debut Author Challenge."
When she isn't blogging or reading she can be found writing, watching movies and TV and hanging out with her boys.

Welcome to the blog Kristi!

Inky:M&M's Or Skittles?Kristi: Skittles

Inky: Besides a love of books what made you want to share your reviews w/others?

Kristi: Lack of friends that read.

Inky: Most excited books (DAC or Published already) to read this year?